The Queen appeared to have taken drastic measures to avoid an assault on her
eardrums as she arrived at the Paralympic opening ceremony wearing bright
red earplugs.

The Queen made her entrance to the Presidential Box just before the two–hour–long parade of the athletes, who entered the stadium to a medley of pop songs by artists including Pulp and Tinie Tempah.

She had worn rather more discreet yellow earplugs during the Diamond Jubilee concert in June but opted for a rather more obvious colour this time.

David Cameron was also in the Presidential Box and but ended up being criticised by members of the audience at the opening ceremony for fiddling with his BlackBerry as he sat just a few seats away from the Queen.

Paying members of the public took to Twitter to point out the Prime Minister's apparent lack of interest, which appeared to be shared by Boris Johnson's wife, Marina, who was seen yawning widely at one point.

The Camerons were sitting next to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. She wore an ivory dress coat by Day Birger et Mikkelsen that she previously wore to the weddings of Zara Phillips, Laura Lopes and Mel Nicholson.

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Prince Harry, who has not been out of the news since naked pictures of him in a Las Vegas hotel room were published last week, was absent. The Duke of Edinburgh was also absent, still convalescing.

The Earl of Wessex, as patron of the British Paralympic Association, was given pride of place next to the Queen. The Princess Royal was also in the President's Box.

The Queen said in a statement released before the event that Paralympic athletes "will excite and inspire people wherever they live". In her statement, she said: "It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

"The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.

"We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage.

"The athletes' endeavours and triumphs will excite and inspire people wherever they live. I look forward to memorable Games that leave a lasting legacy for London, the UK and the worldwide Paralympic movement."